The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-28
GRAY'S REFORM MOVEMENT
Politicians Think that the Governor Has
a Selfish Motive in the Matter.
Carson and FIack Both Accept Their Appoint
ments and Prepare to Contest for Posses
sion-Harrison and Gapens Positions.


supplies. DIR. Harrison directed the proceedings
az president and Phil Gapen served as one OF
the trustees for the Insane Hospital The gen
rlemen appointed by the Governor did not APP
pear. Mr.. Carson. who will, the authority
Of his commission as president of the board.
which he has received. take immediate steps to
secure the position, was not ready to
make a formal demand He had not
qualified, had his bond been
completed. Directly after receiving the COM
mission he left for ShelDyville with bond al
ready prepared His friends there will sign it,
and it is probable that to-day the contest for
possession will begin in the courts. Joseph
Flack has been undecided what to do Men
with whom he generally consults about affairs of
a political character know but little about his
purposes. Flack, though, is man who keeps
his own counsel. as is shown in this instance.
While his friends thought he would not accept,
he had already done SO, and had in his posses
sion a commission from the Governor. He will
act with Carson in the matter of having their
claims to their respective Offices established by
the courts.
Gapens grievance against the Governor leads
him to express opinions ornamented with
phrases decidedly bitter. He pretends to be
serene, as. on yesterday, when asked what phase
having no trouble. The Governor has it ALL
Whom Gapen told the Governor. last Saturday
night that he was still trustee. and would
main so until the General Assembly elected his
successor, the courts decided that he had
right to serve. the Governor said "What, you
do not intend to contest the appointment, do
your
II certainly SHALL" Gapeu replied.
Then let me tell you il will be long time be-
fore you get another Office" was the Governors
re
the Democrats like this: Gray is in posi-
ton to tell man that his political career is at
end. He should consider his own affairs.
He has less than years to serve, and that
will be tho last of Governor Gray" promi-
nent Democrat enlarged on this by saying,
Gray is after something; you can rest assured
of that, or he would not put himself in position
of autagonsm to his party"
What do you think it isl"
II can't say, but he has appointed successors
to Harrison and Gapen solely to curry favor
with mugwump Democrats and Republicans.
His plans will be developed in time. He is
shrewG, but think in this case he has made a
move that will be disastrous TO his political am
bition. OF course, the question will go to the
courts, and if it is decided in favor of his ap-
pointees the Governor will say, You see, was
right and expect to have the socalied reform
Democrats rise up and call him blessed
Democratic Governor in another
State cleaned out an asylum and got national
preferment and favor by it. Another went into
the reform business and aided in crushing
rupt rings in one OF the largest cities OF tho
country He WAS afterwards candidate for tie
presidency of the United States but there Is
danger of that lightning striking Gray. 3ut il
the courts decide that the Governor is wrong. he
will claim the credit of trying to reform liz
stitution of which great Ceal has been said.
and attribute the failure to evil-minded Demo
Gratis who had the Brown bill passed. He e8-
poets to profit by the movement. going ard
coming Isaac p. Gray is an admirable schemer,
but am afraid this last effort will not average
as well as many others of his plans have done"
DR.. Harrison has decided to resist Carson
claims to the utmost. He is not communicative,
but his feelings towards the Govern are by
means tender, although he is more discreet tha's
Gapen. "Ead respectable number of Demo
Gratis asked to have me removed. he said. II
would not have opposed their wishes. l would
not have stood on having majority to uphold
me. No friends of mine have been asked to 90
to the Governor in my behalf Some have gone
but they did it of their own accord They went
to him this morning to have him reconsider his
action. l am president of the State Benevolent
Boards until the courts shall say that have no
right to the position. The Governor never no
tilted me Of what ne intended to do will say
nothing moro except that am willing to abide
by the decisions of the courts
It is understood that when Carson and Flack
seek for a nandamus the defense will be based
on Supreme Court decision in the eighth 1ndi-
In 1855 act was passed providing for
the election of an Attorney general by the Gen
eral Assembly, and thereafter by the people.
The General Assembly failed to select, and che
Governor appointed James Morrison to the Office.
The Secretary of State refused to issue the com.
held by the Supreme Court that the
act creating the Office of Attorney general
vested the appointment for the first
term in the General Assembly. A failure to
exercise that power did not vest it elsewhere.
The vacancy happened on the taking effect of the
act and as the act took effect from and after its
passage, such vacancy did not happen during
recess Of the General Assembly" Harrison aud
Gapen's terms expired on the 9th of February,
while the General Assembly was in session.
1t is probable that the Attorney general will.
after all, take hand in the matter by FLING
complaints against Harrison and Gapen at an
early day. II the courts decide on quo warranto
or mandamus suits. that the Governor is wrong
such decision would not reach the Attorney
general proceedings under> the Brown bill seek
ing forfeiture of the Offices held by Harrison
and Gapen.
The Governors attempt to depose Harrison
and Gapen seems to have had co effect in chang
ing their business methods for they wore quite
as reckless usual in making orders, and the
same persons who have figured conspicuously as
their friends rewarded with patronage
Among others John E. Sullivan WAS given the
contract for furnishing the hospital creamery
butter at eleven cents per pound.
n